American Express Membership Rewards - The next frontier beyond Cent...

I've had my Centurion card for quite a while now, and I am very satisfied. Since I have the "best of the best" as far as AmEx goes, I'd like to start ditching my other cards and replace them with cards on par with this one.

In addition to an AmEx, I've had a BoA (formerly MBNA) MasterCard and a Chase MasterCard, both of which have yet to do anything but give me indigestion when dealing with customer service. No rewards, no points, no miles... nothing. Just all-purpose no-annual-fee credit cards.

The humor is that my BoA card still is limited at $1,000. since I got it with MBNA 15 years ago. Similar situation with my Chase. I always spent on my AmEx and used the other two as backups, but this seems silly to have them just for that purpose.

My question, I guess, is aimed mostly at other Centurion holders: what _else_ is in your wallet?

well i don't necessarily thing that cards that are on par with a cent would be in other cent holders wallets as there is no need for a bunch of high end cards that cost money and all do the same thing, so i think its two different questions.

however, i'd say

Stratus White Visa
Visa Black Card
Coutts Mastercard
MasterCard World Elite (Sotheby's or Saks Fifth Ave)
Chairman Card
Merrill+ Visa
Bank of America Accolades Card

thats just my two cents.

Good point; my question was a bit contradictory (btw, I will look into some of the cards you have suggested)! I will simply ask a different way: for someone who already has a Centurion card, what other two cards could I use to replace the dogs in my wallet -- particular cards that provide parallel, but not the same, benefits (i.e., filling in gaps that the Cent card has).

Here's what I carry in my wallet:

1) Schwab InvestFirst Visa. I use this one when I'm charging things abroad - it gives 2% cash back on ALL purchases and has ZERO foreign transaction fees.

2) Citi AAdvantage MasterCard. I only use this on the rare occasion a merchant accepts neither Amex nor Visa.

And in my car:

3) PenFed Visa. I only use this for gas - gives me 5% cash back on all gas purchases. I drive a lot, so that actually ads up...

All of those issuers gave me limits well in excess of my monthly spending, so no problems there. I've also had great luck with customer service from all of those issuers, so no problems there either.

I've had my Centurion card for quite a while now, and I am very satisfied. Since I have the "best of the best" as far as AmEx goes, I'd like to start ditching my other cards and replace them with cards on par with this one.

In addition to an AmEx, I've had a BoA (formerly MBNA) MasterCard and a Chase MasterCard, both of which have yet to do anything but give me indigestion when dealing with customer service. No rewards, no points, no miles... nothing. Just all-purpose no-annual-fee credit cards.

The humor is that my BoA card still is limited at $1,000. since I got it with MBNA 15 years ago. Similar situation with my Chase. I always spent on my AmEx and used the other two as backups, but this seems silly to have them just for that purpose.

My question, I guess, is aimed mostly at other Centurion holders: what _else_ is in your wallet?

How have you not been able to get a credit line increase with B of A/MBNA?

I'm one the people here that has cancelled all amex cards before they pull shenanigans on me (lol)...i've been using citi premier pass elite level and am very happy with the miles rewards (at least 10k spent/month).

My concierge is one of my 3 secretaries so I dont need that, and having my girls do it is better anyway (lol)....

How have you not been able to get a credit line increase with B of A/MBNA?

Well, I have not tried. I always have used my AmEx, almost exclusively. I like earning points, of course, and I also like the rigidity of having a charge card rather than a credit card. I had asked for increases from the others about 10 years ago, and I received much hemming and hawing; rather than cancel them, I just used them as backups and gave all my business to AmEx. If you all are basically suggesting that I stick with what I have, then I'll most certainly call up and inquire about the spending limits. I'm just curious if I can do better.

Well, I have a Coutts card and can't say it offers any tangible benefits, other than a silly points scheme (Easyjet as a partner, for crying out loud). Have previously had the Cent Amex card from its introduction into the UK, but since the SPG Plat status benefit was removed, it lost its value in my circumstances.

Happy with the Cent.

Still have

Citi AA Mastercard
Wachovia Visa Signature
Amex Plat - so family members can have one

I keep the other 2 cards as the credit limit is very high on each and I don't think it wise to close them. Beyond that I have 2 debit cards. Use the cent 90% of the time.

....1) Schwab InvestFirst Visa. I use this one when I'm charging things abroad - it gives 2% cash back on ALL purchases and has ZERO foreign transaction fees....


My impression was that the Visa and MC clearing organizations charged 1% FEX fees regardless of where you got the card from. If that's correct, does Schwab reimburse you in addition to the 2% cashback on those transactions?

I have a Coutts card ... a silly points scheme (Easyjet as a partner, for crying out loud).

Have you ever tried going onto the website for the points scheme? It's the most heavy security I've ever come across and is virtually unusable.